Thursday, March 23, 2017

Word on the Street Thursday 3/23/17

Word on the Street Thursday 3/23/17
Thursday TNT UPDATE for March 23, 2017
Iraqi TV reporting Alaq stating that they are moving to a free economy and activating the private sector.....
Announcements of full liberation and implementation of Reconciliation are anticipated at the Arab Summit which begins TODAY. ðŸ˜„



A New Gazette



Issued number (4439) of the Gazette of Iraq, which included a number of laws and regulations and data, approved by the House of Representatives and approved by the Presidency of the Republic. The director general of the facts of Iraq Department Shatha Abdul Malik: The most prominent came in number (4439) Weapons Law No. (51) for the year 2017, adding that the law began to accommodate developments that have taken place, and the development of new controls to possess and carry a firearm and rehabilitation of the citizen technically to carry weapons and to identify the age of the authorized person possessing or carrying weapons, in addition to organizing devolution arms, which the Court decides to confiscate it. It said the Director-General: The number included the decision of custom issued by the Ministry of Finance No. (1) for the year 2017, as well as guaranteed by the rules of due diligence to customers of financial institutions (1) for the year 2017, indicating that the data issued by the Ministry of Culture received in this number, included considering some sites in Diyala, Baghdad and Diwaniyah from archaeological sites.
I wonder if that means more than we can see... hmmmm??

Word on the Street Thursday 3/23/17:
TNT CONFERENCE CALL WEDNESDAY 3/22/17 DC NY CALL RECAP:
Good evening TNT Superfantastic family. Today is Wednesday Hump Day. One more time! We are going to go over just a few things and no pressing hot new info. However, I do have something unconfirmed info and gain from that knowledge. That has not come to me yet. We talked Monday about Mosul flag being up in center of Mosul and has meant nothing for what we are looking for. In reference Sadr having a convention getting a crowd together on Friday for a celebration or protest of the reforms. Which one will it truly be? They are encouraging him not to protest and celebrate. There is added expectation that the economic reforms will materialize and that remains to be seen. A member sent his brother money earlier in the week. Then this week he sent $800, and his brother received 1000 dinar. Is there something going on that the masses are not on inside the confines of the country of Iraq. Expectation of Prime Minister making announcements at the summit. Expectation of a Daash being eliminated and Victory of Mosul. We have reports that they were 80-90% liberated in Mosul earlier this week, and maybe they are waiting for the summit tomorrow. We learned of funds and propety being frozen from 92 Iraqi Officials that were Saddam's men. TV reported massive storming of Isis and still have not received full liberation publicly. Bureaucratically citizens abroad experiencing something similar about SKR, and with expectation that this is coming to an end very very soon. Q&A Q: Any upcoming deadlines for the RV in Iraq? Ray: First quarter deadlines seem to have some consideration and significance. Q: Have you recieved info about 800 numbers, or any news about Shabibi becoming CBI governor? Ray: No I have not. Q: Do you have some idea of the rates of the currencies? Ray:Yes Q: Have you found out any info why progress slowed in Mosul? Ray: I have not found out why they allegedly did this. Callers: Arizona: Did you hear about a revised budget in the Gazette? Ray: I have not received any info on that yet. Caller: Have you heard from your SKR people here in the US? Ray NO! Caller: Any new from the banks? Ray High expectations and some expecting it tomorrow. We are just waiting for the Green Light. Caller: 801 Utah: Have you heard anything about Sterling? Ray: Nothing other than the website to go to be kept up to date. Rayren Wraup: That's it. Some or you have been waiting for months and only a few days left. There is no rush. Some of you will be the first mouse anyway, and some will be the best of us and some the rest of us. You are still going to be OK, since you are still part of us. I know when the minute pops and the public release is available, you will have emergency situations. There are going to be some real emergency situations, but discipline has to kick in. You will have to spend some money, but does it have to be your money? You need to put your money to work, and you can't lose. Lets not keep repeating the same process. If you need to do something on exchange day, you don't need to pay all your bills off. Just bring them to current. Even though you will have so much money, you could be broke today or tomorrow. Best information I could give you tonight is where we might be tomorrow,. Don't rush, Don't rush. Don't rush. That is it for this evening. Keep Believing! I do! It is already done! Rayren98
Forex Rates:

SymbolBidAskHighLowOpenChangeTime
 USD/IQD  1,144.2000  1,199.9000 1,144.2000 1,144.2000 1,144.2000  0.0000 21:01
 USD/VND  22,790.0000  22,800.0000 22,790.0000 22,405.0000 22,405.0000  385.0000 05:15
 USD/CNY  6.8861  6.8881 6.8925 6.8804 6.8885  -0.0024 06:31
 USD/KWD  0.3037  0.3057 0.3051 0.3037 0.3045  -0.0008 06:01
 GBP/USD  1.2505  1.2506 1.2527 1.2466 1.2470  0.0035 06:31
 USD/IRR  12,048.0000  12,428.0000 12,048.0000 12,048.0000 12,048.0000  0.0000 17:51
 USD/IDR  13,326.5000  13,336.0000 13,335.5000 13,313.0000 13,328.0000  -1.5000 06:24
DC NY Iraq Articles:

Secretary of the Council of Ministers: The government is moving towards a free economy

http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=2&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ar&sp=nmt4&tl=en&u=http://alforatnews.com/modules/news/article.php%3Fstoryid%3D140342&usg=ALkJrhg9k2mJUchSSyJRbBvkFFrB27Df0Q
Revision date: 2017/3/23 11:37 • 62 times read
(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Mahdi Al-Alak, said that the government is moving towards a free economy and activating the private sector.
A statement of the secretariat received by the agency {Euphrates News} a copy of it, that the relations "received a delegation of the World Bank under the chairmanship of Mohamed Hassan Abdul-Qader, head of the group to improve the business environment of the Bank in Iraq, and during the meeting, a series of axes on the Iraqi economy and its investment environment and the position of Iraq, Global indicators of economy and business ".
The Secretary of the Council of Ministers, that "there is a gap between the improvement and progress in the economic and investment ground in Iraq and the mechanisms of gathering information that feed these indicators and therefore does not reflect accurate assessment of the national and international effort in this area."
For his part, Abdul Qadirb presented the statement "the current programs implemented by the World Bank in Iraq as a program to improve the work environment and the accompanying operations of registration of companies and obtaining licenses and the conclusion of contracts more efficiently in accordance with international standards, also addressed the need to open to the provinces and the development of investment strategies, .
For his part, said the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, "The Iraqi government is moving towards the free economy and the revitalization of the private sector and accompanied by the direction of legal and procedural amendments."
"The General Secretariat will spare no effort to support the rise of Iraq higher indicators according to World Bank standards."
Baghdad / Al-Ghad Press:
A security source in Baghdad said Wednesday that security forces closed all roads leading to Tahrir square in the center of the capital.
The source said that "the security forces have closed all the roads leading to Tahrir Square downtown Baghdad, in anticipation of any occurrence of an emergency before the start of the demonstrations called for by the leader of the Sadrist movement Moqtada al-Sadr, on Friday next."
The "jihadist aide" to the leader of the Sadrist movement Moqtada al-Sadr, Kazem al-Issawi, on Wednesday, to Tahrir Square in downtown Baghdad.
A source familiar with the "Al-Ghad Press", earlier in the day, said that the leader of the Sadrist movement Moqtada al-Sadr has not reached the capital Baghdad so far, and between the demonstrators, who will participate in the demonstrations called by Sadr and is scheduled to start on Friday The next will be divided into two, he stressed that the security forces have taken tight security in Baghdad.
He called the jihadist aide to the leader of the Sadrist movement, Moqtada al-Sadr, Kazem al-Issawi, last Saturday, to go out to demonstrate next Friday in Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, indicating that Sadr will address the demonstrators.
The director of Sadr's office, Ibrahim al-Jabri, said last Sunday that the change of the Electoral Commission and the law of elections and the fight against corruption and spoilers will be one of the main axes of the speech of Sadr next Friday in Tahrir Square, central Baghdad.
In Tahrir square in the center of the capital Baghdad, in February clashes between security forces and demonstrators who went out in protest against the law and the Electoral Commission demanding change, and fell in those demonstrations four dead and 320 wounded, including 79 wounded live bullets.d

 

Kirkuk confirms the entry of its oil agreement with Baghdad to take effect


Date: Information / Baghdad ..
The head of the oil and gas committee in the Kirkuk provincial council Ahmed al-Askari on Wednesday, the entry of the oil agreement between Baghdad and the province on the export of oil into force, noting that the agreement needs to increase cooperation between the parties.
"The oil agreement between Baghdad and the province on the export of oil came into effect after the arrival of about 40 thousand barrels of Kirkuk fields to the refinery in Kolk in Mosul in order to provide the people," the military said in a statement.
He added that "the bilateral agreement between the governor and the prime minister included a number of points, including the expansion of Kirkuk refinery and the establishment of a new refinery and the disbursement of petrodollars dollars and the allocation of central functions of the province."
"The agreement needs to increase cooperation between the two parties and open new horizons to end the tension and satisfy the people of the province to obtain their legitimate rights." Ending / 25





Saudi Aramco plans to launch $ 2 billion Sukuk for sale


Date: 
The Saudi Financial Times reported on Wednesday that Saudi Aramco plans to put up $ 2 billion sukuk for sale.
The company plans to do so very soon this month in a $ 10 billion fund-raising program on the local currency bond market, the paper said, adding that the authorities responsible for financial markets in Saudi Arabia are expected this week to approve the sale of Islamic bonds Known as "instruments".
"Sukuk allows investors to get current income from them, avoiding the principle of usury and interest prohibited in Islam," the report said.
The move follows Saudi Arabia's $ 17.5 billion sovereign debt offering last year.
Saudi Aramco, the world's largest energy company, has issued earlier sukuk, but this is the first time that sukuk can be freely traded on the market, with the approval of Saudi Arabia's regulator.
The Saudi government hopes this will help bridge its fiscal deficit and set a benchmark for future bond issues by government or private sector entities. Ending / 25


Customs revenues exceed 100 billion dinars during the past month


Date: 
The General Authority of Customs announced on Wednesday the opening of the port of Umm Qasr Middle by four berths to receive commercial vessels, while confirmed that its financial revenues for the month of February more than 101 billion dinars, an increase of 58 billion dinars compared to the same month last year.
The General Director of the General Customs Authority Kazem Ali said in a statement to the official newspaper "Sabah" that "the Authority is about to open the port of Umm Qasr Middle by four berths to receive ships and commercial vessels, especially giant ones," noting that "the largest submersible will fall within this port, No. 15 ".
He added that "the Authority has made a huge jump in the collection of customs revenues imposed on the fees of goods entering the country during the month of February."
"These revenues exceeded 101 billion dinars, an increase of 58 billion dinars compared to February last year," he said. "The increase in revenues during the month of March, more than last month, to intensify the control of ports and reduce the corruption of administrative and financial."
The Director General of the Authority, said that "the current orientation of the Prime Minister, accounting for employees working in the body in the event of proven involvement in the practice of administrative and financial corruption, noting that« the sanctions up to the isolation or transfer outside the Commission and the supervisory and inspection authorities in the ministry has transferred more than 25 employees outside the Commission because of their involvement in corruption. " Ending / 2





 

Baghdad Council holds scientific conference on pollution of the Tigris and recommends enacting legislation to combat it

Date: 
Baghdad Provincial Council announced on Wednesday that it held a scientific conference on the pollution of the Tigris River, pointing out that the issuance of several recommendations, including the enactment of legislation and the activation of previous laws to reduce pollution.
"The Baghdad Provincial Council held today a scientific conference to discuss the issue of pollution of the Tigris River and ways to combat it with the participation of the ministries of oil, health, electricity, industry and minerals, in addition to the secretariat of Baghdad," said Raad al-Khamisi, head of the committee's information committee.
Al-Khamisi added that "the conference witnessed the submission of 10 research by the beneficiary ministries and polluted," pointing out that "98% of the abuses are obtained by state institutions."
Al-Khamisi pointed to "the issuance of several recommendations, including the dissemination of environmental awareness and control of the river solvents in addition to the enactment and activation of previous legislation in this regard." Ending / 2
Kauaihn Iraq Articles:

The New Zealand Defense Minister arrives in Baghdad


Date:  Information / Translation ...
New Zealand Defense Minister Jerry Brownlee, who arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday, said Iraqi leaders had expressed their appreciation for the New Zealand military support in their war against "Da'ash."
"The defense secretary made a third visit to the New Zealand troops at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, accompanied by the commander of the forces, General Tim Keating," Xinhua news agency said in a translation.
"The 106-strong New Zealand team of trainers has helped train 20,000 Iraqi soldiers in Taji camp and other forces deployed in the country," Brownley said in a statement issued by his office.
"This number will contribute to the deployment of regular forces of the Iraqi security forces to expel a supporter of the few remaining areas in Iraq, especially in the northern city of Mosul." Ending / 2





 

The commander of the US Army Corps calls on the armies of the world to study the battles of Falluja and Mosul


Date: 
The commander of US ground forces, Gen. Mark Millie, said that the battles being waged by Iraqi forces to restore Mosul from "urging" a model of street wars that the armies of the future be ready for them.
At a conference on future wars in Washington, Milli pointed out that global population growth and the massive increase in the number of cities with more than 10 million people make it imperative for armies to be eligible to fight in densely populated areas.
"Aleppo, Mosul and Falluja are living models of future wars, and we are likely to see a fundamental change in the fields in which wars will take place. The battlefields will move from open to densely populated areas."
As commander of the ground forces, the US general stressed the need to rehabilitate infantry and special forces to be able to wage wars of a new kind, which requires the US military to simultaneously develop its armament and organization according to this development.
"We have to think about that in the size and weight of the tanks, the lengths of the helicopters and the dimensions of the vehicles," and other military equipment used in street fighting.
Militias, according to Milley, "have to organize themselves differently and perhaps deploy their members to smaller, more mobile groups that are able to operate according to a coherent network."
The soldiers of these units should also be trained to make decisions within a few seconds, taking into account the seriousness of the impact of these decisions on civilians, if they are wrong or not calculated.
He stressed in conclusion that the military must pass the "moral and psychological courses, because fighting in populated areas more difficult than the fighting in the exposed areas tenfold." Ending / 25


Abadi of the Iraqi community in America: We will emerge stronger than before and will not retreat from reform


Date: 
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi said on Wednesday that Iraq will emerge stronger after the elimination of the organization "Daash" criminal final, while noting that his government will not back down from the reform campaign.
Abadi said in a statement issued by his office after his meeting with the Iraqi community in Washington and received a copy of it, that "our heroes stood in our war against a hasty pause that can not be described because the enemy wanted to tear this nation, but their plan was thwarted, We are backing away from the reform campaign and continuing to fight corruption. "
"With the economic crisis and the collapse of oil prices, we managed to manage the crisis and manage things, and Iraq will emerge stronger than before," he said.
As for his visit to Washington, Abbadi said that "the countries are not looking for the weak but looking for the strong and we came to Washington and we are strong victors," noting that "we are now talking about the elimination of a supporter and we will spend it soon on our unity." Ending / 25

 

Janabi: The godfathers of the Sunni region group of thieves


08:30 2017/03/22  Information / Baghdad ..
The former MP described the appearance of al-Janabi on Wednesday as "a group of thieves" who are unable to move the Sunni street, stressing that the public in the upcoming elections will end the existence of those "political mafias" in the next stage.
Al-Janabi said in a statement to Al-Maaloumah that "the Arabs of the Sunni region in Iraq are a group of thieves who are unable to move the Sunni street towards the project of the provinces and the division of the country."
He added that "the next stage will be in favor of consecrating the unity of Iraq and can not return things to the first square of sectarian fighting and civil war on regional motives of neighboring countries," stressing that "the public in the upcoming elections is to end the existence of those political mafias in the next stage."
Al-Janabi said, "MP Mohammed Karbouli and all those who participated in the Istanbul conference do not enjoy any popular Sunni welcome because they caused the destruction of their areas and the invasion of the criminal urges the areas that the group calls to represent it."

Saudi consumer prices shrank


Date:  Information / Baghdad ..
Saudi Arabia's consumer price index shrank 0.1 percent in February on a year-on-year basis and 0.3 percent on a monthly basis, data released by the Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Statistics showed on Wednesday.
According to data, food and beverage prices fell 3.4 percent year-on-year in February, transport prices fell 2.7 percent while communications prices rose 3.1 percent, services and goods 2.9 percent, health 2.2 percent and education 1.9 percent.
On a monthly basis, prices of goods and services rose 1 percent in February from January, food and beverages 0.5 percent, housing, water, electricity and fuel 0.4 percent, while communications prices fell 0.1 percent. Ending /

Al-Khattaf: Sistani will announce his position on the Commission and the election law soon


Date: 
Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani Mr. Hamid al-Khafaf, spokesman for the religious authority, Ali al-Sistani, that the latter will announce its position on the Commission and the election law in the coming days, while calling for the legislation of the law "fair" and "fair" of the elections allows for a broader representation of the votes of Iraqis, To the level of the challenges of the next phase.
"Our recent visit to Beirut (March 16-19) was full of various cultural and intellectual activities, and we could not - as we expected - avoid attending the issues of the current Iraqi demand movement," wrote activist Ahmed Abd al-Hussein on his Facebook profile. All our meetings. It was a frank and direct meeting, in which we tried to convey the general perceptions of the Iraqi demonstrators about the most important challenges of the country, especially the crisis of the political system, and its continued reliance on sectarian quotas and corruption despite Of the voice of the Iraqi people protesting about two years ago, although both quotas and corruption created an appropriate environment for terrorism, violence and extremism throughout the post-2003 period. "
He added: "We also stopped with Haj Al-Khafaf in front of the continued intransigence of the authorities not to respond to the demands of the demonstrators, although the movement demanded great successes at the level of exposing the corruption and corrupt, who became outcasts of the general public. The meeting also addressed the biggest challenge at this stage, represented by the issues of the election law and the membership of the Commission. We found in the person of Haj Al-Khafaf and as he was transferred from the opinion of the wise reference great interest in the movement of the protest movement. "
According to Abdul Hussein, the Khufaf counted the demands of the protests "an important face of reform and change, and the importance of continuity and continuity, and transfer the bluntly clear position of the reference firm and strong to support all that would repel the corruption system and its representative, stressing that the reference did not close its doors to the reception of officials only because it stands With the demands of the Iraqi people to fight corruption and accountability spoilers. "
"The need to legislate a just and equitable election law that will allow a wider representation of the Iraqi vote, and the importance of the senior management of the Commission at the level of the challenges of the next stage," Abdul Hussein said, pointing out that the position of the reference of these two issues will be met in the days, In the public interest. " Ending / 25 p 5 2
Kauaihn Economic Times:
ECONOMIC TIMES / CHATTER




GLOBAL/ NEWS/ INFO

Global growth increases as price inflation rises
POST Online Media
Global business activity across all industry sectors grew modestly in March with a headline Sales Managers’ Index reading of 53.6. This level indicates that the global economy continues to exhibit relatively low but consistent rates of economic activity, World Economics report. Optimism among man... Read the full story


Forbes richest people list: Bezos up, Trump down
The online retailer's CEO made more money than anyone on the planet last year, raking in a whopping $27.6 billion.



Trump does it. How you can hire your child legally
USA TODAY
There are reasons why hiring your children can be a smart move. It can get a child started in a profession. It can keep the money within the family. You can deduct it as a business expense. Read the full story


Singapore Ranks 2nd Property Investment Destination for Ultra-Rich Asians
Luxury Insider
A study by Knight Frank indicates Singapore as the second property investment destination in the world. Read the full story


Singapore and Hong Kong Top World’s Most Expensive Cities
Bloomberg
Zurich is the only non-Asian city to crack the top 5 Read the full story

OIL / COMMODITIES / ENERGY


A new tool for monitoring energy usage
David McLauchlan, CEO of Buddy Platform, spoke with CNBC Wednesday about the Buddy Ohm.


Gold prices steady, but 5th straight gain is in sight as risky assets slump
MarketWatch
Gold prices on Wednesday fluctuated between slight gains and losses, holding near a 3-week high reached during the previous session as global equities came under pressure. Read the full story


Global gold prices hit 3-week peak as investors shun equities on Trump worries
Livemint
Bengaluru: Gold prices rose to a three-week high on Wednesday as risk-averse investors dumped equities amid a weaker dollar and sought safe havens on growing doubts about US President Donald Trump’s economic agenda. Read the full story


Look Past Oil to China for Clues to Commodities
Bloomberg
China manufacturing turned a corner in 2016 and has dragged prices of many raw material prices higher. Read the full story



Oil sink to 4-month lows on bets for bearish U.S. supply dataInvesting.com
© Reuters. Oil falls to fresh 4-month lows ahead of U.S. supply data Read the full story


Oil prices fall more than 1% as traders fret about U.S. crude stockpiles
MarketWatch
Oil prices on Wednesday added to their drop for the week, as analysts blamed worries about rising U.S. supplies and doubts about OPEC’s production cuts. Read the full story


Oil Tightens Its Noose Around Currency Market as Rout Deepens
Bloomberg
Oil is re-asserting its stranglehold on the currencies of energy producers. Read the full story


BANKS/BANKING
JPMorgan retains top spot but Deutsche Bank slips in global investment bank rankings
JP Morgan retained its place atop the global investment banking league table last year, with the top five places now firmly in the hands of U.S. banks.


'I was excited for this year, and I’m not anymore': Bank lobbyists privately lower expectations for Dodd-Frank overhaul
Business Insider
Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Mike Crapo (R-ID) hearing listens to testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen on the “Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress” on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 14, 2017. Bank lobbyists who opened the Trump era with great expectations for sweeping regulatory reform are privately striking an increasingly dismal tone as hopes for a quick and thorough rewrite of Dodd-Frank legislation dim. Read the full story


Looking for bank stocks? Ditch the U.S. and head to Europe, Citi says
MarketWatch
Don’t freak out about the current selloff in banking stocks — just pick your region carefully if diving into the financial sector. Citi says it’s time to look across the Atlantic to European banks that have a lot of things going for them right now. Read the full story


UBS Introduces Charges on Euro Accounts Exceeding 1 Million
Bloomberg
UBS Group AG is extending charges on cash holdings to more of its customers, becoming the latest bank to pass on the euro region’s negative interest rates. Read the full story

European markets moved lower during mid-morning trade Wednesday amid increasing concerns regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's economic growth agenda.



Nikkei down more than 2% after failed NKorea missile test
Japanese stocks sold off on Wednesday, weighed by the stronger yen and following an apparent North Korea missile test that reports said failed.


CURRENCIES
Why Dollar Will Weaken Further
Barron's
Asia Stocks to Watch RICHMOND, VA - OCTOBER 14: Presidential candidate and Republican front-runner Donald Trump signs a dollar bill for a supporter during a campaign rally at the Richmond International Raceway October 14, 2015 in Richmond, Virginia. A New York real estate mogul and reality television star, Trump is now in a statistical tie with retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson in a Fox News survey of likely Republican voters released Tuesday. The U.S. Dollar Index fell below the psychologically Read the full story

Pound to euro exchange rate - Sterling maintains recovery against EUR amid rate HIKE hints
Express
POUND sterling has maintained its strength against the euro after UK inflation figures hinted at a rate hike in 2017. Sterling has jumped to €1.16 - its highest levels seen all week - after the release of stronger than expected inflation data. The rate rose from €1.15 yesterday morning - and it’s managed to maintain its new position today. Read the full story

Forex - Aussie slips lower, kiwi holds steady vs. greenback
Aussie loses ground, kiwi little changed in late trade Read the full story

New Zealand dollar unchanged
Inside Retail New Zealand
The New Zealand dollar is little changed as prices for dairy products unexpectedly rose at the latest auction despite an increase in supply, while US equities and the greenback were weighed on by uncertainty over whether legislators will approve an overhaul to US healthcare cover. The kiwi traded at US70.42 cents as at 0800 on Wednesday from US70.47c on Tuesday. The trade-weighted index was at 76.32 from 76.46. Whole milk powder prices rose 2.9 per cent to $US2855 a tonne at the GlobalDairyTrade Read the full story

NZ dollar gains vs Aussie as RBA wary on housing
Scoop
March 21 (BusinessDesk) - The New Zealand dollar gained against the Australian dollar after Australia's central bank warned of growing risks in the housing market in its latest minutes. Read the full story


Dollar at 4-month low against yen as stocks remain vulnerable
MarketWatch
The dollar dropped to four-month lows against its Japanese counterpart Wednesday, feeling the fallout from a deepening U.S. stock market retreat. Also, the euro hovered near seven-week highs. Read the full story


PBOC Sets yuan parity rate at 6.8889 against dollarInvesting.com
Yuan parity Read the full story


USA

The US government's electronics ban blindsided the world's best airlines — and the worst could be yet to come
Business Insider
An Emirates Airbus A380. On Tuesday, the US Department of Homeland Security announced the introduction of an electronic-device ban for flights coming to the US from 10 airports in the Middle East and Africa. Many of the eight affected airlines seemed to have been blindsided by the news. With only four days to comply, it's still uncertain how many of the carriers will be able to work out the logistics of the ban. In addition, the thought process behind the decision and the intelligence on which Read the full story


EMERGING MARKETS

Mexico Emerges as Most Alluring Emerging Market, India Worst
Bloomberg
Mexico is the most attractive emerging market for investors, based on a range of metrics analyzed by Bloomberg including growth, yields and equity valuations. India is the worst. Read the full story



Meat war? Hong Kong grapples with ban on Brazil imports
A meat price war looms in Hong Kong a day after an immediate suspension of all meat imports from Brazil.


China's Rising Hunger Holds Key to Brazil's Beef Exports: Chart
Bloomberg
Brazil’s beef exports last year were valued at $5.52 billion, about a third of which went to Greater China, with shipments to Hong Kong taking a larger proportion than the mainland, according to meat export group Abiec. Some of those sales are at risk, as the world’s largest beef and chicken exporter faces an investigation into the possibility that some meat bound for international destination may have been tainted. Shipments to the next-largest markets -- Egypt, Russia and Iran -- each fell in Read the full story


Brazil's Second-Biggest Chicken Buyer Adds Checks on Meat
Bloomberg
Saudi Arabia, the world’s second-largest buyer of Brazil’s chicken, ordered new inspections of meat from the South American nation after allegations that exporters bribed local inspectors to approve tainted meat for sale. Egypt temporarily suspended permits on new imports. Read the full story




MIDDLE EAST




OPEC now an inventory manager rather than price setter, says Goldman
CNBC
An increase in new production projects and a shale boom could create an oversupply situation in the coming years, according to Goldman Sachs analysts. Read the full story


Saudi Aramco Weighs Rolling Bank Mandates for Record IPO
Bloomberg
Saudi Arabian Oil Co. is weighing a plan to hire investment banks for different stages of its initial public offering, four people with knowledge of the matter said. Read the full story



New liquidity necessary for GCC markets' recovery – Analysts
Mubasher
By: Mahmoud Gamal Mubasher: The GCC markets need new liquidity to be injected on Wednesday to break through new resistance levels amid speculating trend, after the fall in oil prices and global markets, analysts said. All the GCC stock rose on … Read the full story


China could be the next big influencer in the Middle East
Business Insider UK
Saudi Arabia’s king Salman last week invited Beijing to take a more active part in Middle East politics and in response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it would be happy to act as mediator between Riyadh and Tehran – and this on top of preliminary investment deals with a potential total value of $65 billion. Just days after king Salman’s departure from China, Israel’s PM Netanyahu headed there, saying that “Israel is in high demand,” citing recent trips to Washington and Moscow. Ahead of the Read the full story



NBAD, FGB Pick Investment Banking Team for Merged Bank
Bloomberg
National Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC and First Gulf Bank PJSC picked a new investment banking team as Abu Dhabi’s biggest lenders work toward a $175 billion merger, according to two people with knowledge of the appointments. Read the full story



EUROPE
Dublin is Best EU City for Bankers Fleeing Brexit, Study Says
Bloomberg
Dublin is the best destination in the European Union for London-based bankers forced to move after Brexit, according to an index of 15 cities compiled by a relocation company. Though Ireland tied for the highest top income tax rate, at 52 percent, it benefits from being the only other English-speaking destination in the EU and the cost of renting a flat in Dublin is markedly cheaper than in Paris, Frankfurt or Luxembourg, Movinga said on its website. Amsterdam is the next-best destination for Read the full story


EU Boss under fire after saying southern Europe wasted money on ‘drinks and women’
Italian, Spanish and Portuguese politicians are asking the head of the Eurogroup to resign following comments where he implied that southern European nations were wasting all their money on "drinks and women."


Nordea Mergers Prompt Finland to Seek Tougher EU Mega-Bank Rules
Bloomberg
Finland’s financial regulator wants the European Union to tighten rules to give local authorities more power over individual bank branches that in some cases are bigger than lenders domiciled in a country. Read the full story


Brexit Banks 'Set to Avoid Eurozone Entry Test'
Newsweek
Banks in London that relocate operations to the eurozone after Brexit are likely to be spared a lengthy entry test by regulators, making it easier for them to shift, according to two officials with knowledge of the matter.... Read the full story

Blessed and Highly Favored:
CBI Update:
The CBI for Thursday, March 23, 2017 did  update on the indicative rates USD buy rate 1181 and sell rate 1184
The currency auction is 164,376,087
There are one news and announcements for Thursday, March 23, 2017
To all approved banks (the criteria for satisfying the sale and purchase of foreign currency)
 2017/3/23
ISX Update:
Value Traded
774,227,188
Shares Traded
1,044,482,416

ISX ended in Red




Rafidain: financial facilities amounting to 25 million dinars inclde owners of Industrial stores
Al-Rafidain Bank said that the financial facilities set by the bank, amounting to 25 million dinars in addition to the grant of 15 million dinars, include the owners of industrial shops from which it is intended to develop its work.

The bank's information office said that 'its branches have seen great interest for small and medium-sized enterprises to apply for financial facilities from citizens for the purpose of developing their work, activating the national product and local industry and supporting the national economy.'

"The bank has set specific conditions for the granting of financial facilities, including that the applicant must have the identity of the Baghdad Chamber of Commerce and open an account at the nearest branch of the bank in his area of ​​work."

He pointed out that 'the bank has set the maximum amount of 25 million dinars for the project, which is to be developed after the owner presents his vision of the project and guarantee the mortgage of a property and is divided according to the powers of the director of the branch and the extent of his conviction in the efficiency of the financial citizen'.

The statement also said that the bank announced the grant of 15 million dinars as financial facilities to the owner of the project with the guarantee of a sponsor has banking facilities and that the financial assessment is commensurate with the financial assessment of the student facilities 'calling' of those wishing to obtain these facilities to review the bank's branches for the purpose of filling out the form For this purpose '.
Kauaihn Chatter:
3-22-2017   Newshound Guru MadDScout  Article:  "Abadi discusses with US Trade Secretary lifting obstacles to investment companies"  Quote:  "Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, during his visit to the United States, discussed with US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross the promotion of trade cooperation between the two countries."  This was a very good meeting from reports.  I can not remember a one day event that produced so much positive for all sectors.  It was like Abadi ran the table today.  LOL  ...was a very positive day for us investors and for Iraq as a whole.  [post 2 of 2]

3-22-2017   Newshound Guru MadDScout   I know Abadi had a busy day today [Tuesday].  Abadi today met with :  President Trump, V.President Pence, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and members of Congress, US Trade secretary Wilbur Ross, US Chamber of Commerce, along with delegations from GE and Boeing among others.  This is a very good feel of how the new US President is working in a positive way with Iraq.  [post 1 of 2....stay tuned]

3-22-2017  Mapmaker Guru Thomas van Linge  Mosul progress update.
3-22-2017   Newshound/Intel Guru Mnt Goat   ...we wait and watch for an article telling us their next move. Remember too, HCL money is coming shortly after Mosul is cleared. When ISIS is cleared we can expect to see a full and complete HCL law get passed and move forward.  So my feeling is Iraqi economy is now at a cross roads. It will never be the “perfect” set up. The IMF, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization along with a host of global consultants are working with Iraq to bring about the needed changes. Which way will they now go? There is only one way to go and why not? This is UP.  Since they prepared Iraq for this economic explosion (or as Abadi has stated and I quote “economic openness”) they must now move to the next step and get fully the global/international stage. What else does “economic openness” mean if not to go international?  [post 2 of 2]

3-22-2017   Newshound/Intel Guru Mnt Goat    ...in mid February 2017, when EARLY 2017 seeming to be almost gone, another article came out, this time from the GOI finance committee, telling us the project was again “postponed” but this time no future date was given telling us when it would resume. They just told us “indefinitely”.   ...the CBI itself has told us that the reason for the 2008, 2013 and 2015 postponements was due to SECURITY and STABILITY issues. SECURITY with fighting invaders into Iraqi’s sovereignty and STABILITY meaning political and economic. Now fast forward to the events over the last 18 months. What do you see? Do you think all these reforms and law were for nothing? We even see the IMF stepping in to help with the 3 year SBA (Stand by Agreement) with Iraq.  ...it is not easy to predict when Mosul region will be “fully” liberated...so did not give us another timeframe but rather said “indefinitely” until they can see progress with the liberation of Mosul and get a handle on a new, realistic timeframe to tell us...   [post 1 of 2....stay tuned]

3-22-2017   Newshound Guru FrostyTheSnowman   IMO...sounds like this massive "New City" called BISMAYAH (built by Hanwha) [Housing Project] is done ... (at least the first few phases).  "What?  This huge company is doing all of this for a program rate?"  lol   Ok ... maybe they did for the 1st phase ... but ever notice how real estate developments become more pricey as the 2nd, 3rd, 4th phases are opened?  IMO ... follow the money ... follow the contracts ... PAYDAY is on it's way folks!  Yes!  It's time to get as excited as the Iraqi citizens will be to occupy these brand-new air-conditioned homes.  Go RV! 3-22-2017   Newshound Guru chattels   I would note that the Spring / Nowruz Holiday as posted at the CBI website is a one day observance [March 21].   I tend to think...that the the recent hiatus in publishing the market rate preceding and now following the holiday is remarkable, but the significance or pertinence to our "event", if any, is unknown and likely unknowable in the near(er) term.
3-22-2017   Intel Guru Bruce   They need to essentially publish their new budget with that rate...that is...in the budget in the Gazette. Why? We thought they did the 2017 budget. They did.  They needed to modify the budget with the new accurate rate the dinar will come out with in the country of Iraq.   ...evidence is looking good for Iraq because of what they had to do in terms of Prime Minister Abadi’s travels here in this country meeting with everybody.  What we are looking for is for Iraq to publish this budget and essentially announce it in the Gazette...  The dinar will come back well over $3 or $4 which will be the true value of what their currency is. My understanding is we are as close as we ever been.  [post 2 of 2]

3-22-2017   Intel Guru Bruce    A lot has been going on behind the scenes.  Iraq...is still a factor. Still something we need to pay attention to. For example, Prime Minister Abadi coming to the US...He did meet with President Trump...He has met with other people in Washington yesterday. He did bring the document from the IMF that was more or less releasing Iraq from certain obligations with our government from the past.   Going back to Iraq itself. We know basically everything has been handled and Mosul has been taken back.  We know they got their sovereignty. We do need the UN to do one final release of Iraq of chapter 7. One thing needs to happen is their currency needs to be reinstated internationally...   So what does Iraq need to do?   [post 1 of 2....stay tuned]

3-22-2017   Newshound Guru Adam Montana   You're probably also seeing a lot of positive news regarding ISIS, Mosul, etc on the "tube". Or at least, you aren't seeing so many negative news stories... and you know why that is, don't you?  It's very simple - the media isn't making a big deal about Iraq anymore because things are going REALLY GOOD, and those aren't the stories that sell ads!   ...there is a LOT of progress happening right now with oil, agreements, and security. These are exactly what we want to see!  We are getting to a point in this Iraqi Dinar situation that has me excited again, finally, and it's been a long time since I felt this upbeat about the Dinar.  We've been going in the "right way" for a long time, but now we are on a STRONG path to victory!


3-22-2017   Newshound Guru Kaperoni  ...currencies cannot be randomly valued.  They are valued by supply and demand.  Iraq's dinar will rise in value, but based on sound fundamental economic policies controlled by the CBI.  We just have to wait that out as they progress with the transition to a market economy.

3-22-2017   Intel Guru Frank26    The IMF visited with Abadi...BEFORE he met with Donald Trump.  IMO...the monetary reform is in a speed of light that is unseen right now.  Mosul is done...IMO...and the MR is coming at a speed that is unknown to you.  Exchange rate restrictions?  If Mosul was an issue...Abadi would NOT be in DC right now!  For him to leave right now ...they have STABILITY / SECURITY in Iraq right now!  Let’s see what comes out of these meetings.  There are articles are out that there are NEW NEGOTIATIONS that are out between Iraq and the IMF, and the World Bank, etc.   If they already have negotiations...why meet in April?  IMO...a change in the rate should come before these meetings in April.

3-22-2017   Newshound Guru Kaperoni   Article  quote:  "in addition to the reform of the banking sector to support growth led by the private sector before starting the process of reconstruction in post - Daesh."  This seems to imply the banking sector reform is just around the corner...

3-22-2017   Newshound Guru Aggiedad77    Article:  "Iraq looking to raise obstacles to the entry of US companies to invest"  IMO when Abadi talks here about "raising obstacles" he's referring to a lessening of red tape for American companies and also a HUGE reduction in corruption issues that have kept many companies away in the past...He's smiling because he knows who will pave the way for the success of his government as well as his country...and it will not be Iran...He's got a new buddy in President Donald Trump and his administration...IMO look for Trump to be paying Iraq a visit this year...Frank [Guru Frank26]  said that issues with investors has to do with Iraq's restrictions on capital movement...as well as UN sanctions not being lifted, thus causing countries and investors to not want to go against the UN...Abadi has some definite changes he needs to make...that he can make...lift those restrictions...raise the value of your currency...get rid of the UN restrictions...IMO.
Elmer:
Not in today
Artmeister:
Not in today

Catnip:
ARTICLE 1 (from PM Abadi's website; posted only on Arabic side, not posted on English side)

Prime Minister Dr. Haider al-Abadi meets in Washington, the Armed Services Committees of the US House of Representatives and the Senate

Prime Minister Dr. Haider Abadi met in Washington on two separate occasions, the Armed Services Committee of the US Senate and the Armed Services Committee of the US House of Representatives.
Where they discussed the conduct of the battle of Mosul and the victories achieved on the gangs, calling and training and arming the Iraqi armed forces and the significant development in the capabilities of our forces and international support to address the terrorism of the Daashi and restore stability of the liberated areas.

Prime Minister's Media Office
March 23, 2017

1) Prime Minister Dr. Haidar Al-Abadi meets in Washington, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy 22 March 2017
2) Prime Minister Dr. Haider Abadi meets in Washington, Canada, March 22, 2017
3) Prime Minister Dr. Haider Abadi meets in Washington, French Foreign Minister March 22, 2017
4) Prime Minister Dr. Haidar al - Abadi meets the Saudi Foreign Minister March 22, 2017
5) Prime Minister Dr. Haider Abadi meets with US Secretary of State, Mr. Rex Tillerson March 22, 2017
6) Prime Minister Dr. Haidar al-Abadi: Iraq has achieved great victories since the previous meeting of the alliance against Daqash and the Iraqi forces bravely fighting in Mosul March 22, 2017
7) Prime Minister Dr. Haider Abadi meets with the Iraqi community in Washington March 22, 2017

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ARTICLE 2

The Ministry of Defense denies the invitation of those covered by the amnesty to join their units


BAGHDAD , March 23 (KUNA) - The Iraqi Ministry of Defense on Thursday denied reports that the ministry had invited the people to join their units.
"We would like to see that these sites have always been and are still trying to fabricate false news," she said in a statement . "They may have terrorist motives and intentions and are attributed to the ministry. Therefore, the Ministry of Defense calls upon the citizens to be accurate And caution in the circulation of news and transmission, and to know the correct news follow the site of the Ministry of Defense ( www.mod.mil.iq ) and the Ministry's page on Facebook (Iraqi Ministry of Defense) and on the tension (https://twitter.com/modmiliq ) so it was necessary to mention. AH
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ARTICLE 3

Take control of Padush bridge and edit the water station

2017/3/22 18:18
[Ayna - Baghdad] 
On Wednesday, security forces took control of the Badush bridge while the water station of the judiciary was liberated.
"The 9th Armored Division took control of the Badush bridge and liberated the Badush water station and raised the Iraqi flag in them," the head of operations of Yanbu, Major General Abdul Amir Rashid al-Yarallah, said in a statement.
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ARTICLE 4

Report: Scorched earth .. A weapon to support the face of defeats in Iraq and Syria


BAGHDAD, March 22 (Reuters) - With the loss of an organization calling for hardline land in Syria and Iraq, the group is calling on its fighters to focus on sabotaging the infrastructure of the two countries, further challenging the governments of the two countries. When the Syrian army and its allied armed factions, supported by a Russian air cover in the historic city of Palmyra, brought about three weeks ago, he urged his fighters to destroy oil and gas fields. This strategy is a double challenge to the governments of Baghdad and Damascus, depriving them of income and making it difficult at the same time to provide services and popular support in the devastated areas that are being liberated from the hasty. It did not stop at the oil and gas fields, but extended to the ruins of the ancient city of Palmyra, 200 kilometers north-east of the capital, Damascus, during a two-pronged fortification that destroyed some of its priceless archaeological heritage before Syrian forces regained control. Archaeologist Wael Hafian described the damage to the tertiary, which consists of four opposite bases with four columns, as heavy. He said only four columns remained out of 16 columns."During the second occupation of the city, the Da'ash elements suffered less damage than their first occupation when they destroyed an ancient 1800-year-old arch and the 2,000-year-old temple of Baal Shmein," he said. In his article, he argues that the destruction of basic economic assets "is a greater priority than the destruction of the most symbolic heritage." Politics of mass destruction Analysts believe that a supporter, who once seized one-third of Iraq's territory and large areas in Syria and announced his alleged succession in 2014, is living a difficult situation under the air strikes of the coalition led by the United States in Iraq as well as air strikes carried out by Russia in Syria . Iraqi forces are also making significant progress in their battle to restore Mosul. In Syria, in addition to the defeat of Badash in Palmyra, the organization itself is trapped in al-Raqqa, its main stronghold. Jaafar Brahimi, adviser to the Iraqi government for infrastructure, said that the Daash has caused losses estimated at about 30 billion dollars in Iraqi infrastructure since 2014. Brahimi, "the use of a policy of mass destruction of facilities, factories and buildings with the intention of causing the greatest economic damage to Iraq," he said, "I can confirm that "At least 90 percent of the infrastructure and vital industrial facilities have been destroyed by a preacher in the areas he occupied in Iraq." Brahimi said, "elements have also destroyed the factories of sugar and cement and transferred their equipment to Syria."In Syria, Ali Ghanem, Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources of the Syrian Arab News Agency, said that "the organization destroyed more than 65% of the Hayyan gas plant" and produces Hayan field, located in the province of Homs, three million cubic meters of natural gas per day.

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ARTICLE 5

Human Rights Watch: Finding the largest mass grave for the victims of Dahesh in Khosafa south of Mosul


Ninewa - March 22 - A group of thousands of people have been executed and their bodies buried in a mass grave near Mosul, northern Iraq, a Human Rights Watch report said Wednesday.
The report said the dead, including members of the Iraqi security forces, were thrown into a natural pit at a site known as al-Khasafa, 8 km southwest of Mosul.
Local residents of the Watch Watch said they had witnessed multiple mass executions and the bodies were thrown into a 35-m hole from June 2014 to May or June 2015 and confirmed they had heard Daish fighters talking about other executions of former police members The Iraqi security forces, and members of Sunni tribal fighters (Awakening). "
"Prior to its withdrawal from the area in mid-February," he called for ground-level landmines (sometimes referred to as improvised explosive devices or booby traps) in the area.
"This mass grave is a symbol of evocative criminality and demeaning behavior - it is a huge crime, and laying landmines in the cemetery is a clear attempt to call for the greatest possible harm to the Iraqis," said Lema Fakih, deputy director of the Middle East.
"The Iraqi authorities should give priority to identifying and fencing the site to protect the mass grave and the local population so that the mines are removed from the site, but the population confirmed that water passes through the bottom of the pit;
"The site is one of dozens of mass graves that have been found between Iraq and Syria, but it could be the largest discovered so far," the report said. "It is not possible to determine the number of people executed at the site, Thousands, based on the executions they saw or heard from the fighters in the region. "
"Iraqi forces took control of the site in mid-February and were visited by Human Rights Watch on March 7, but did not inspect the pit closely because of landmines, which killed a journalist and at least three security personnel On the 25 of last February. "
"Some of the victims may have been detained at Padush prison, west of Mosul, which was seized by a fugitive on 10 June 2014. On that day, some 600 prisoners were executed in a valley in the nearby desert, Survivors of Human Rights Watch. "
Badush prison is located in Badush district, 25 kilometers west of Mosul, the largest prison in Nineveh province, and the second largest prison in Iraq after the Abu Ghraib prison west of Baghdad.
"The competent teams have not yet begun to remove the remains of the dead from the mass grave," said Kamal al-Saadi, a leader of the Popular Gathering. "The area is still not safe enough for the teams to start the exhumation work."
"Al-Saadi explained that" the organization of an advocate resorted to the erection of many IEDs in the perimeter and inside the mass grave; what requires to be lifted carefully before allowing the health teams work to remove the remains of the dead. "Finished
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ARTICLE 6

America: the killing of Baghdadi "a matter of time"

2017/3/22 19:29
[Ayna - Baghdad] 
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said at a meeting of the Washington-based International Alliance that the death of a guerrilla leader called the terrorist Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi "a matter of time." 
"Almost all of Baghdadi's aides, including the mastermind of the Brussels and Paris attacks, have been killed," Tillerson said when he met with Washington officials in the 67-member coalition of the Washington-led coalition. And to deliver al-Baghdadi. "Destiny itself is a matter of time ", as he puts it.
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